Galesburg Radio 14 WGIL » Sheriffhttp://wgil.com/v3
Radio designed for the people of GalesburgTue, 03 Mar 2015 22:55:00 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1Ogle County Audit Seeks Whereabouts of Missing Towing Feeshttp://wgil.com/v3/2015/01/26/ogle-county-audit-seeks-whereabouts-of-missing-towing-fees/
http://wgil.com/v3/2015/01/26/ogle-county-audit-seeks-whereabouts-of-missing-towing-fees/#commentsMon, 26 Jan 2015 16:54:03 +0000http://wgil.com/v3/?p=23854OREGON, Ill. (AP) — An internal audit is underway in a northern Illinois county into almost $11,000 that’s unaccounted for from a sheriff’s department towing fund.

The (Dixon) Telegraph reports that the Ogle County Sheriff’s Department expects the audit to take a couple of months.

The investigation began after a forensic auditor could not account for the money in the county’s administrative tow fund. The fund was controlled by ex-Sheriff Michael Harn.

An ordinance allows the sheriff’s department to charge $350 when it has vehicles towed.

The forensic audit also found that about $61,000 in fees were not deposited in the county’s general fund as required.

Brian VanVickle was sworn in as sheriff on Dec. 1. He says files were gone from computers that the former sheriff and his executive assistant had used.

]]>http://wgil.com/v3/2015/01/26/ogle-county-audit-seeks-whereabouts-of-missing-towing-fees/feed/0Quad Cities Sheriff Resigns Over Cyberstalking Chargehttp://wgil.com/v3/2014/09/12/quad-cities-sheriff-resigns-over-cyberstalking-charge/
http://wgil.com/v3/2014/09/12/quad-cities-sheriff-resigns-over-cyberstalking-charge/#commentsFri, 12 Sep 2014 16:06:09 +0000http://wgil.com/v3/?p=14836CHICAGO (AP) — A western Illinois sheriff accused of cyberstalking and threatening a woman he met at a gym resigned from office Thursday and agreed to withdraw from the November ballot, Attorney General Lisa Madigan said.

Rock Island County Sheriff Jeffrey Boyd, 48, entered an Alford plea to charges of attempted misconduct, and will forfeit the pension he earned during his nearly four years as sheriff, Madigan’s office said. An Alford plea does not admit guilt but acknowledges that prosecutors likely can prove the charges.

Boyd was accused of using his position as sheriff to intimidate and threaten a woman he met at a Rock Island gym. He also allegedly pursued the woman, who entered the country illegally from Mexico, via repeated text messages.

Prosecutors said the woman asked Boyd to leave her alone, but he used his law enforcement position to continue to intimidate and harass her. Then in June, authorities said, Boyd sent the woman an anonymous, threatening text message.

“Mr. Boyd was elected by the people of Rock Island County to serve as its top law enforcement officer, but unfortunately he attempted to use his position to intimidate and stalk his victim,” Madigan said.

]]>CHICAGO (AP) — A western Illinois sheriff accused of cyberstalking and threatening a woman he met at a gym resigned from office Thursday and agreed to withdraw from the November ballot, Attorney General Lisa Madigan said.

Rock Island County Sheriff Jeffrey Boyd, 48, entered an Alford plea to charges of attempted misconduct, and will forfeit the pension he earned during his nearly four years as sheriff, Madigan’s office said. An Alford plea does not admit guilt but acknowledges that prosecutors likely can prove the charges.

Boyd was accused of using his position as sheriff to intimidate and threaten a woman he met at a Rock Island gym. He also allegedly pursued the woman, who entered the country illegally from Mexico, via repeated text messages.

Prosecutors said the woman asked Boyd to leave her alone, but he used his law enforcement position to continue to intimidate and harass her. Then in June, authorities said, Boyd sent the woman an anonymous, threatening text message.

“Mr. Boyd was elected by the people of Rock Island County to serve as its top law enforcement officer, but unfortunately he attempted to use his position to intimidate and stalk his victim,” Madigan said.

Deputy Andrew Tarr and his former partner, William Roberts, were sent to perform a welfare check after police received a phone call about a suicidal man, the Dixon Telegraph reported.

When they arrived at Wilson Burnell’s home, he tried to barricade himself inside, according to the officers. Burnell also took Tarr’s pepper spray and tried to disarm Roberts of his stun gun, they said.

Both officers faced claims of excessive force after Roberts shot Burnell with his stun gun five times and Tarr hit him in the head with a metal flashlight. Roberts was found not liable.

A federal jury determined Tarr used excessive force against Burnell. He will receive $10,000 in damages and about $40,000 in attorney’s fees.

Both Tarr and Roberts are still employed at the sheriff’s department, Sheriff John Varga said Monday.

]]>ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) — A 56-year-old Amboy man was awarded $50,000 after a federal jury decided a Lee County sheriff’s deputy used excessive force against him during a 2009 seizure.

Deputy Andrew Tarr and his former partner, William Roberts, were sent to perform a welfare check after police received a phone call about a suicidal man, the Dixon Telegraph reported.

When they arrived at Wilson Burnell’s home, he tried to barricade himself inside, according to the officers. Burnell also took Tarr’s pepper spray and tried to disarm Roberts of his stun gun, they said.

Both officers faced claims of excessive force after Roberts shot Burnell with his stun gun five times and Tarr hit him in the head with a metal flashlight. Roberts was found not liable.

A federal jury determined Tarr used excessive force against Burnell. He will receive $10,000 in damages and about $40,000 in attorney’s fees.

Both Tarr and Roberts are still employed at the sheriff’s department, Sheriff John Varga said Monday.

]]>http://wgil.com/v3/2014/09/09/amboy-man-gets-50000-in-excessive-force-case/feed/0Slain Warren County Sheriffs Deputy Honoredhttp://wgil.com/v3/2014/08/07/slain-warren-county-sheriffs-deputy-honored/
http://wgil.com/v3/2014/08/07/slain-warren-county-sheriffs-deputy-honored/#commentsThu, 07 Aug 2014 20:08:41 +0000http://wgil.com/v3/?p=12551A Warren County Sheriff’s Deputy killed in the line of duty over 30 years ago is being honored with a stretch of highway being named after him.

A ceremony was held today officially dedicating a one-mile stretch of US 67, about 7 miles north of Monmouth, as “Deputy George V. Darnell Memorial Highway.” Darnell was shot and killed in December of 1981 when responding to a call at the former FS facility north of Monmouth.

Warren County Sheriff Martin Edwards says he hopes the dedication sends a special message to Darnell’s family.

“We as a community are demonstrating that we don’t forget those who have sacrificed for us,” says Edwards. “We simply don’t forget our heroes. On this day in this place, we may be reopening emotions for the Darnell family and those who knew him and worked with him. I would hope those emotions are being overshadowed by pride today.”

Now 60-years-old, David Eric Wolfbrandt is serving a 70-year prison sentence after being convicted in Hancock County in 1982 of Murder, Armed Robbery, Armed Violence, and Theft, but could be paroled in 2017, or discharged in 2020.

Retired Warren County Sheriff Gary Higbee says in the hours and days after Darnell was shot and killed responding to the call help was tremendous, but investigating was frustrating.

“A systematic search for him was organized by the State Police, got made by the Sheriff’s Office, and a statewide bulletin was posted by the sate police to be on the lookout for a big semi-truck to no avail,” says Higbee. “The semi-got by it, everybody, but during our investigation, we realized that he had taken a lot of back roads, blacktops, and made his way down to Southern Illinois.”

The former Davenport resident stole fuel from various regional FS locations and then provided it to his friend’s construction business. He’s being held in the Centralia Correctional Center.

Illinois lawmakers approved of the highway naming back in May. Listen to the entire dedication ceremony below.

A Warren County Sheriff’s Deputy killed in the line of duty over 30 years ago is being honored with a stretch of highway being named after him.

A ceremony was held today officially dedicating a one-mile stretch of US 67, about 7 miles north of Monmouth, as “Deputy George V. Darnell Memorial Highway.” Darnell was shot and killed in December of 1981 when responding to a call at the former FS facility north of Monmouth.

Warren County Sheriff Martin Edwards says he hopes the dedication sends a special message to Darnell’s family.

“We as a community are demonstrating that we don’t forget those who have sacrificed for us,” says Edwards. “We simply don’t forget our heroes. On this day in this place, we may be reopening emotions for the Darnell family and those who knew him and worked with him. I would hope those emotions are being overshadowed by pride today.”

Now 60-years-old, David Eric Wolfbrandt is serving a 70-year prison sentence after being convicted in Hancock County in 1982 of Murder, Armed Robbery, Armed Violence, and Theft, but could be paroled in 2017, or discharged in 2020.

Retired Warren County Sheriff Gary Higbee says in the hours and days after Darnell was shot and killed responding to the call help was tremendous, but investigating was frustrating.

“A systematic search for him was organized by the State Police, got made by the Sheriff’s Office, and a statewide bulletin was posted by the sate police to be on the lookout for a big semi-truck to no avail,” says Higbee. “The semi-got by it, everybody, but during our investigation, we realized that he had taken a lot of back roads, blacktops, and made his way down to Southern Illinois.”

The former Davenport resident stole fuel from various regional FS locations and then provided it to his friend’s construction business. He’s being held in the Centralia Correctional Center.

(David Eric Wolfbrandt. Photo from IL Department of Corrections.)

Illinois lawmakers approved of the highway naming back in May. Listen to the entire dedication ceremony below.

Buffet lives in Decatur, has a farm in adjacent Christian County, and manages one of the world’s larger foundations. The Buffet Foundation has given generously to the sheriff’s department — providing in recent years a K-9 vehicle, motorcycle, and a law enforcement training facility.

The foundation is at it again. The (Decatur) Herald-Review reports that the county board approved receiving three, four-year grants of over $1 million each from the group.

They will fund a drug interdiction agent, a drunk-driving enforcement officer, and an elder victims’ crime investigation, along with equipment for each.

Buffett has said the grants are just a way to give back to and improve the community.

Buffet lives in Decatur, has a farm in adjacent Christian County, and manages one of the world’s larger foundations. The Buffet Foundation has given generously to the sheriff’s department — providing in recent years a K-9 vehicle, motorcycle, and a law enforcement training facility.

The foundation is at it again. The (Decatur) Herald-Review reports that the county board approved receiving three, four-year grants of over $1 million each from the group.

They will fund a drug interdiction agent, a drunk-driving enforcement officer, and an elder victims’ crime investigation, along with equipment for each.

Buffett has said the grants are just a way to give back to and improve the community.

Emery says Illinois State Police didn’t receive any reports from Lexington in 2011. The sheriff also says there are undocumented guns, drugs and cash in the Lexington Police Department’s evidence room.

Emery says Illinois State Police didn’t receive any reports from Lexington in 2011. The sheriff also says there are undocumented guns, drugs and cash in the Lexington Police Department’s evidence room.

]]>http://wgil.com/v3/2014/06/26/sheriff-lexington-police-not-completing-reports/feed/0Special Prosecutor Appointed in Pike County Casehttp://wgil.com/v3/2014/06/20/special-prosecutor-appointed-in-pike-county-case/
http://wgil.com/v3/2014/06/20/special-prosecutor-appointed-in-pike-county-case/#commentsFri, 20 Jun 2014 15:56:26 +0000http://wgil.com/v3/?p=9822PITTSFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A special prosecutor has been appointed to handle the case of Pike County’s sheriff, who is accused of misconduct.

The Quincy Herald-Whig reports that Ed Parkinson with the Illinois State’s Attorney Appellate Prosecutor’s Office has been assigned to Sheriff Paul Petty’s case. Petty is due in court for a hearing on Friday.

An Adams County judge ruled earlier this month that having the Pike County State’s Attorney’s office prosecute the case was a conflict of interest.

Petty also is the county coroner. He has pleaded not guilty to accusations he didn’t follow procedures for embalming the body of 47-year-old Shanda Lopez, of Milton, who fatally overdosed on heroin in 2012.

]]>PITTSFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A special prosecutor has been appointed to handle the case of Pike County’s sheriff, who is accused of misconduct.

The Quincy Herald-Whig reports that Ed Parkinson with the Illinois State’s Attorney Appellate Prosecutor’s Office has been assigned to Sheriff Paul Petty’s case. Petty is due in court for a hearing on Friday.

An Adams County judge ruled earlier this month that having the Pike County State’s Attorney’s office prosecute the case was a conflict of interest.

Petty also is the county coroner. He has pleaded not guilty to accusations he didn’t follow procedures for embalming the body of 47-year-old Shanda Lopez, of Milton, who fatally overdosed on heroin in 2012.

Several instances have been reported of garbage set on the curb for pick-up being taken by someone other than garbage truck in Knox County.

According to a press release, Orange and Haw Creek Townships – south of Knoxville – have been the primary locations for taking trash. Taking garbage set on the curb for pick-up is not considered Theft under Illinois law.

Often, trash is taken to obtain personal and financial information from a household according to the Knox County Sheriff’s Department.

Obtaining that information could lead to identity theft or other types of fraud. Witnesses in the area have reported seeing an older red passenger car leaving the areas, though few other descriptions have come forward.

The Sheriff’s Department is urging residents to ensure any documents containing personal or financial information are properly disposed to prevent identity theft.

]]>The Knox County Sheriff’s Department is warning residents about a possible scheme to steal identities.

Several instances have been reported of garbage set on the curb for pick-up being taken by someone other than garbage truck in Knox County.

According to a press release, Orange and Haw Creek Townships – south of Knoxville – have been the primary locations for taking trash. Taking garbage set on the curb for pick-up is not considered Theft under Illinois law.

Often, trash is taken to obtain personal and financial information from a household according to the Knox County Sheriff’s Department.

Obtaining that information could lead to identity theft or other types of fraud. Witnesses in the area have reported seeing an older red passenger car leaving the areas, though few other descriptions have come forward.

The Sheriff’s Department is urging residents to ensure any documents containing personal or financial information are properly disposed to prevent identity theft.

]]>http://wgil.com/v3/2014/06/03/sheriffs-department-receives-missing-trash-reports/feed/0Western Illinois Sheriff Charged with Misconducthttp://wgil.com/v3/2014/05/19/western-illinois-sheriff-charged-with-misconduct/
http://wgil.com/v3/2014/05/19/western-illinois-sheriff-charged-with-misconduct/#commentsMon, 19 May 2014 15:56:42 +0000http://wgil.com/v3/?p=8007PITTSFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A western Illinois sheriff is facing a felony misconduct charge for a 2012 death investigation of a woman who overdosed on heroin.

Pike County Sheriff Paul Petty is also the county’s coroner. He was charged after prosecutors say he didn’t follow procedures for embalming the body of 47-year-old Shanda Lopez.

Two other men were charged in connection with Lopez’s death, including one who’s accused of drug-induced homicide. Authorities say Petty didn’t draw blood for a toxicology screening before Lopez’s body was embalmed.

Petty says he remains sheriff and coroner and tells the Quincy Herald-Whig he will “go about my life.” He tells WGEM-TV the charges were a surprise.

]]>PITTSFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A western Illinois sheriff is facing a felony misconduct charge for a 2012 death investigation of a woman who overdosed on heroin.

Pike County Sheriff Paul Petty is also the county’s coroner. He was charged after prosecutors say he didn’t follow procedures for embalming the body of 47-year-old Shanda Lopez.

Two other men were charged in connection with Lopez’s death, including one who’s accused of drug-induced homicide. Authorities say Petty didn’t draw blood for a toxicology screening before Lopez’s body was embalmed.

Petty says he remains sheriff and coroner and tells the Quincy Herald-Whig he will “go about my life.” He tells WGEM-TV the charges were a surprise.

]]>http://wgil.com/v3/2014/05/19/western-illinois-sheriff-charged-with-misconduct/feed/0IL Lawmakers OK Naming of Highway After Late Warren County Deputyhttp://wgil.com/v3/2014/05/17/il-lawmakers-ok-naming-of-highway-after-late-warren-county-deputy/
http://wgil.com/v3/2014/05/17/il-lawmakers-ok-naming-of-highway-after-late-warren-county-deputy/#commentsSat, 17 May 2014 14:17:07 +0000http://wgil.com/v3/?p=7946SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The Illinois Senate has voted to name a stretch of highway in honor of a Warren County sheriff’s deputy who died in the line of duty.

George Darnell was shot and killed after responding to a call of suspicious activity in December 1981.

The 61-year-old was a World War II veteran. He was survived by his wife, who died in 2012, and seven children.

State Sen. John Sullivan is a Rushville Democrat. He sponsored the resolution to name a one-mile section of U.S. Route 67 near the western Illinois community of Monmouth in memory of Darnell.

In a statement Friday, Sullivan says even though Darnell died years ago it “does not diminish the impact and importance of his life.”